Trigger-adjusting means for firearms



April 24, 1951 R. c. HOARD TRIGGER-ADJUSTING MEANS FOR FIREARMS Filed May 28, 1948 mll/lrwwy r R. mm m mm N m H Mm a T A Patented Apr. 24,. 1951 UNITED TRIGGER-ADJUSTING MEANS FOR FIREARMS Roy 0. Hoard, Edinburg, Tex.

Application May 28, 1948, Serial No. 29,743

4 Claims.

My invention relates to means for adjusting the trigger of a firearm. In virtually all firearms there is a certain amount of play in the trigger thereof relative to the sear which is sometimes known as the slack. This play or slack enables the trigger to be pulled rearwardly for varying distances before the sear is moved in a direction to release the firing mechanism of the firearm. Likewise, virtually all triggers, after the same have moved rearwardly and disengaged the sear from the firing pin, continue to move rearwardly in a movement known as back lash. The trigger moves more or less after the slack is taken up and moves the sear with it for varying distances before the firing mechanism is released. In target shooting, it is highly desirable to eliminate slack and minimize the backlash. Also, some shooters desire to minimize the pull or movement of the trigger after the slack is taken up through the disengagement of the sear, whereby what is known as a hair trigger is achieved.

With the foregoing in view, it is an object of the invention to provide improved means for adjusting the trigger of a firearm to eliminate slack and to minimize the backlash of the trigger.

A further object is to provide such an adjusting means which includes means whereby the pull of the trigger can be shortened as desired.

A further object is to provide such a triggeradjusting means which includes at least one threaded member threaded through the trigger and engageable with the sear to force the trigger in a trigger-pulling direction relative to the sear, whereby to eliminate slack and/or to minimize the pull.

A further object is to provide in a triggeradjusting means such as that last described a second screw threaded through the trigger and engaging the sear to minimize backlash.

Other objects and advantages reside in the particular structure of the invention, combination and arrangement of the several parts thereof, and will be readily understood by those skilled in the art upon reference to the attached drawing in connection with the following specification, wherein the invention is shown, described and claimed.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of the firearm typical of that to which the trigger-adjusting means according to the invention is adapted to be applied;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal vertical section through a portion of the firing mechanism showing the trigger-adjusting means according to the invention applied thereto;

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the plane of the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Referring specifically to the drawing, Figure 1 2 designates a firearm II) which may be a Mauser, Springfield 1903, or like firearm, including firing mechanism now to be described.

Referring now to Figure 2, ll designates generally a trigger for the firearm I!) which includes a finger piece I2. The upper end of the trigger l l is pivoted by the trigger pin l3 to a sear I 4 intermediate the free end of the latter and the sear pin l5 thereof. The sear pin l5 pivots the sear M to a receiver l6 which is fixed to the firearm lll in any suitable and/or well known manner. The free end of the sear is formed with an upwardly-directed lug l8 which is engageable with a notch :9 of a cocking piece 20 comprising a portion of the firing mechanism of the firearm Ill. The forward end of the cooking piece 20 may be, provided with the usual firing pin 2|. Any suitable spring means, not shown, loads the cocking piece and the firing pin 2i for movement'in a firing direction. The lug l8 of the sear extends upwardly through a recess 21 in the receiver IS. The opposite end of the sear is loaded by a coil spring I! interposed between the same and the receiver 16 in a direction to cause engagement of the lug I8 with the notch l9. Likewise, the trigger ll includes a cam portion 24 which is engageable with the under surface of the receiver l6, whereby upon a rearward pull of the trigger from the solid to the broken line position, Figure 2, causes the sear to be cammed downwardly on its pin l5, whereby'the lug I8 is disengaged from the notch [9 of the cocking piece.

However, in most triggers sufiicient play exists so that the trigger is normally positioned in the chain dotted line position of Figure 2, which is considerably forwardly of the solid line position. Thus, in normal operation of the trigger it is necessary to move the finger piece from the chain dotted line position to the full line position before any movement is imparted to the sear in a cocking piece-disengaging direction. Likewise, it is thereafter necessary to move the finger piece from the solid line position to the broken line position, Figure 2, before the lug I8 is entirely disengaged from the notch [9.

To limit the movement of the trigger to aminimum, there has been provided the forwardlydirected extension 22 of the trigger which extends longitudinally of the receiver l6 below the sear M. The forward end of the extension 22 is formed with an interiorly-threaded hole therein through which is extended an adjusting screw 23. The adjusting screw 23 includes an upper free end which engages with the under surface of. the sear l4, whereby the trigger is moved in a sear-disengaging direction from say the chain dotted line position to the solid line position of Figure 2, or even to some point intermediate the solid line position and the broken line position, whereby the sear lug I8 is almost completely disengaged from the notch IQ of the cocking piece. Obviously, when so adjusted, it requires but a slight pull in a rearward direction of the finger piece [2 to: release the lug L8; entirely from the notch l9 and; permit the firearm to be fired. This arrangement eliminates the slack in the trigger and shortens the pull whereby to achieve a hair trigger which, as aforesaid, may be desirable especially in a firearm used for target practice.

To eliminate the back lash which isthe. move.- ment of the trigger after it has released the sear lug l8 from the cocking piece 20, I have provided a second and rearwardly-directed extension which extends longitudinally of the receiver it below the sear M. This extension 25 likewise is formed with an interiorly-threaded' hole there.- through through which isv threaded an adjusting screw 25. The adjusting screw 23 likewise has a free end' extending in a direction toward. the

under. surface of the sear below the lug l8. However, the. adjusting screw 26 is not adjusted until it is engaged with the sear.. Instead, it is so adjusted. as to engage with. the sear only when the. same has assumed; the broken line position of Figure 2, at whichpoint. it will be clear of the notch 19.. Thus, there will" belittle or no movement of the. trigger in a back. lash-providing direction after the cocking piece. has been released. Thus, back lash is virtually, if not entirely,,eliminated.

The device according to. the. invention, as aforesaid, is shown applied to a specific form of' firing mechanism. However, it. is obvious that the same may be applied toother forms of firearms including different types of firing mechanisms. With the foregoing in view, it is under.- stood, therefore,. that while I have shown and described what is now thought to be a preferred form of the invention, the same. is susceptible of other forms and expressions. Consequently, I do not limit myself to the precise structure shown anddescribed hereinabove except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. In a firearm-, a receiver; a sear,,means piyoting said sear intermediate. its ends on said re,- ceiyer, spring-means operating'between said. receiver. and said sear at one side. of said pivot means. whereby aid sear is normally urged; toward firing, mechanism engaging position, a trigger pivotally." mounted on av portion of said sear at the opposite side of said pivot means from said spring, means, said trigger-having a cam. arranged, to. effectively engage a portion of said receiver and swing the said portion of. said sear away from said receiver against the resistance of 'said spring means so as to disengage said sear from associated firing mechanism when said trigger is pulled rearwardlyfrom. its starting position, an extension on said'trigger projecting forwardly therefrom beyond the pivotal. point of said trigger toward the pivotal point ofsaid' sear, and a screw on said extension adjustable to, engage said sear in. the region of itspivotal' point to impart a more. rearward starting position to said trigger.

2; In a firearm, a receiver, a seanmeanspivot; ing said sear intermediate its ends on said re.- ceiver, spring means operating. between said receiver and said sear at one side of said pivot means whereby said sear. is normally urged toward: firing mechanism engaging position, a trigger pivotally mounted; on a portion of said sear at the opposite side of said pivot means from said spring means, said trigger having a cam arranged to effectively engage a portion of said receiver and swing the said portion of said sear away from said receiver against the resistance of said spring means so as to disengage said sear from associated firing mechanism when said trigger is pulled rearwardly from its starting position, an extension on said trigger projecting forwardly therefrom beyond the pivotal point of said trigger; toward the pivotal point of said scar, and a. screw on said extension adjustable to engage said. sear in the region of its pivotal point to imparta more rearward starting position to said trigger, a rearward extension on said trigger extending along a portion 'of said. sear,, a screw on, said rearward extension adjustable toward said, portion. of said sear to engage saidportion when said trigger is pulled rearwardly in a. man.- ner to prevent saidv trigger from reaching. the limit ofits normal. rearward movement.

3. In a. firearm having firing mechanism in.- cluding aqreceiver, a sear pivoted intermediate its ends onsaid receiver and having. firing. mechain engaging portion on one end, spring. means ne nally pivoting. said sear into-firing mechanism engaging position, a trigger pivoted on said sear intermediate. the ends thereof at. a point atone side of the pivotal point of said sear, an extension on said. trigger extending beneath said sear in a direction, opposite said firing mechanism engaging portion of said: sear, a. screw on said -nsicn. adjustable: to engage said sear tolimit normal: pivotin of said. trigger. relative. to. said sear in a direction. away from said. firing mechanism engaging portion of. said sear;

i. Ina firearm having firingmechanism a. receiver, asear pivoted intermediate its. ends. on said receiver and having on, its rearward; end: a lug engageable with. the firing mechanismto retain said mechanism in cocked, position-,. spring means operating betweenthe; forward end of said sear and said-receiver whereby saidsear-normally occupies a position. in which its-lug engages the firing mechanism, a trigger'pivoted on said sear at a point intermediatethe ends-of. said sear and rearwardly of its pivotal point; said: trigger having a cam engaging said receiver whereby upon rearward movement of said; trigger said sear is moved downwardly to release the firing mechanism againstthe resistance of: said spring means, and whereby upon release oi said. trigger said spring. means is effective to-return said-trigger to a full forward position, a forward extension-on said trig-ger extending along said sear, a screw-on saidextension-adjustedtoengage the underside of said scar. and prevent said spring meansirom returning said trigger. toits full. forward position.

ROY C. BOARD.

REFERENCES CITED- The following references are of record: in thefile of this patent:

Germany Apr; 14f, 1930 

